Originally Posted by ScienceCanine
(Post 3191634)
It amazes me that people are worried about things like corn and beet pulp but have no reservation pumping 12% ash into a dog. Ash is primarily minerals in the food like calcium, phosphorous, etc.
Besides being pure filler, the only filler in fact, high ash can be extremely damaging to some dogs. Dogs only require about 2% mineral content, so anything above that is a complete waste, no upside and all downside. High phosphorous can permanently damage kidneys, even healthy kidneys, high calcium binds with zinc causing skin problems and high ash from bone is loaded with flouride. High ash tells you the source of protein is low quality.
The big offenders are Earthborn, Nature's Variety, Nature's Logic and Evo but there are many more. Keep in mind one very important thing, your dog probably won't show any signs of kidney damage until 80% of function is lost.
So in answer to your question 7.5% and below is what experts looks for.
Companies that care enough to make low ash foods are: Annamaet, Dr. Tim's, Eukanuba, Pro Plan, Bil Jac (5%) and Fromm.
Here is a very good example of how some companie use good quality protein and how one doesn't:
Earthborn Primitive - 38% protein, 12.0% Ash
Dr. Tim's Momentum - 35% protein, 6.5% Ash
Annamaet Ultra - 32% protein, 6.8% Ash
Pretty easy to see that Earthborn uses junk. I mentioned in another place a highly respected Phd uses Bil-Jac because the ash is 5%, and that is excellent for a 27% protein food with 90% of protein from animal sources.
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